Sponsored by: Lely Atlantic

John Beckett Memorial Cup & DAIRY INFLUENCERS AWARD  WINNER 2025

Winner ‘Milk Every Moment’ – AHDB

Milk Every Moment is a strategic three-year collaboration between AHDB and British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS).

The campaign aims were to empower the next generation by creating a positive association between milk consumption and sporting performance within the university and college community.

The unusual decision to award a campaign this year, was supported by the senior judging panel who unanimously agreed that the long term benefit of the positive associations built by this campaign – ‘milk/milk products and sporting excellence’ – would have ripples across the industry for years to come – the significance for the dairy industry could be underestimated.

A major highlight of the campaign so far was the renaming of the BUCS Rugby Union National Championships to the BUCS Super Rugby Milk Championships. In the first year, BUCS recorded that the campaign has achieved approximately 8.9 million views, generated 16.4 million digital impressions, 10 million video views through social media videos, and garnered about 248,000 engagements.

350 Year Anniversary

Winner HJ Lea Oakes

At the Awards HJ Lea Oakes were awarded by the Publishers in this their 350’th year in business. A company with a high level of integrity, “striving throughout their long history to offer customers both an excellent quality product and exceptional level of technical support. Unseen to most is the phenomenal effort and care that also goes into supporting and championing staff, resulting in a working environment that is collaborative, inclusive and productive,” commented a customer. Congratulations HJ Lea Oakes Ltd.

Sponsored by: Arla Foods

Winner Richard Woolford, Hook Farm Partnership

Excellent lifetime daily yield figures alongside great fertility figures for this farm, utilising sexed semen in both dairy and beef breeds to maximise calf output, said judges. Regular monitoring of key health KPIs in conjunction with vet and team, lead to a whole farm approach which is clearly paying dividends. A data-driven approach to breeding and financial planning, and a well-rounded business that is performing to exceptional levels.

Highly Commended Ruth & Stephen Ashley, PJ & PE Ashley & Son

The Ashley’s farm demonstrates exceptional production figures. Good fertility results, and the proactive team are achieving these yields with 68% of the herd in calf by 100 days, commented judges.

Sponsored by: Kite Consulting

Winner Aled Jones, Wern Farm

Aled is an exceptional candidate – on farm the herd is demonstrating good fertility and excellent feed efficiency. He has made substantial improvements since taking over the farm in 2022 and has made clear changes that directly led to improvements in fertility and performance. Judges comment: Aled’s willingness to continue to learn and improve shone throughout the application.

Highly Commended Rebecca Bromhead, North Hole Farm

Rebecca has a clear passion for business, making significant changes with environment and cow health at the very forefront – protecting her business for the future. Her community engagement is also to be celebrated

Highly Commended Andrew Hookway, East Villavin Farm

Clear improvements in milk production and fertility figures since he took over the farm in 2020 – positive reduction on health incidents. Andrew sees investment in new technology a priority for both cows and for his team, concluded judges

Commended Charlie Mann, Littleworth Farm, Steffan Richards, Cwrt Malle Farm

Sponsored by: KW Feeds

Winner Gethin & Eleri Gibbin, Drefach Farms

Judges were impressed with this entry. An autumn calving herd where data was representative of peak milk yield. Great utilisation of resources to mid to late lactation cows on grazing platforms. Fantastic forage quality with great attention to detail through the whole harvesting process. Calving index demonstrated amazing fertility figures.

Highly Commended Tom & Anna Stable, Bolton Manor Farm

Very high performing statistics in milk yield and milk from forage, and corresponding positive stats on herd health and wellbeing from this well-run farm team.

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Sponsored by: Wynnstay

Winner Treveale Farm, TN Morrow & Partners

‘Treveale Farm remains a flagship farm of production and welfare in the UK,’ testifies vet Jon Parsons, ‘the farm combines high production, efficiency and welfare in every aspect of its management from labour to yield.’ Any visitor to the farm, it seems, is left impressed by everything from building design, cow pedigrees and appearance to the obvious common drive of the family. The farm herd has doubled in size in the past few years but managed to maintain ‘consistent’ high standards of welfare – investing in new health monitoring technology, with close management on body condition and cleanliness.

Highly Commended John Bacon, Ian Vanstone, Lana Wood

Effectively summed up by their vet Hannah Fitzsimmonds: ‘The team at RHJ, Lana Wood, are a fantastic team to be a part of; continually looking to identify ways to improve herd health. They challenge themselves (and us vets) and have recently managed to obtain a higher paying milk contract due to the high welfare standards demonstrated on this farm.’

Highly Commended Andrea & Derek Semmens, Raftra Farm, JR Semmens & Son

Very much ‘a family affair’ – judges praised their ethos of ‘team for the betterment of the business’, sustainable agricultural practices and animal welfare goals.

All achieved by the implementation of proactive preventive measures, robust biosecurity protocols, and timely

intervention when health issues arise

Sponsored by: Vilofoss

Winner of the Anthony Wills Memorial Cup

Winner Charlie Mann, Littleworth Farm

This is a young man of just 24 who has returned to the farm after university and has been the driving force on developing the dairy that was previously managed by his father and uncle. There has been a significant development of cow housing and miking facilities moving from loose straw bedding/herringbone parlour to cubicle housing, 3 robots and a robotic manure and feed handling. A real passion for developing a progressive/sustainable dairy unit for the future despite huge constrictions with finance/milk processor.

Highly Commended Oakley Farming Ltd

Miles Oakley – along with a team of

professionals – is taking the management role of a large unit of 1750 cows in milk as the third generation. This farm is achieving

high production and is continuing to develop infrastructure to increase to 2000 cows in milk on this unit. All credit to Miles and the team, concluded judges.

Sponsored by: Trouw Nutrition

Winner Dillington Farms

Dillington Farms with Manager Ollie Blackburn win the Sustainability Cream Award for ‘outstanding integration of environmental care, team development and financial performance.’ From improving soil health and cutting emissions to investing in staff and renew able energy, the farm sets a benchmark for balanced, future-focused sustainability

Highly Commended Neil Ridgway, Stowell Farms

Awarded for its closed-loop system, strong team culture and impressive turnaround in profitability. High levels of cow welfare and environmental consideration are shown together with positive engagement, commented judges.

Sponsored by: Progiene

Winner Metcalfe Farms

The attention to detail on the calf unit is fantastic, said judges. Calving pens, thoroughly cleaned after each calving, deep cleaned weekly and rotated. Regular testing of colostrum for bacterial load and blood sampling for passive immunity levels. Disinfecting the calving aid and washing ropes. Attention to foot dips and clothing changes between cow/calf facilities. The reward – high growth rates and an 80% reduction in antibiotics. A positive ethos of ‘how can we do better’.

Highly Commended Richard & Jenny Mason,  FJ & ME Mason & Son

Richard and Jenny have made vast improvements to performance statistics, and health strategies on farm, in recent years. Over 30% reduction in antibiotic use and a calf mortality of 1%.

Sponsored by: VOLAC MILK REPLACERS (Feed for Growth)

Winner Richard Woolford, Hook Farm Partnership

High performing system with a fantastic lifetime yield, said judges. Couple this with low instance of mastitis – results have been achieved by a proactive approach to production with prevention key. Richard has protocols in place for all aspects of the whole system – colostrum to fresh cows. Data driven, Richard looks ahead to create a sustainable business, where the whole farm team are engaged & involved in decisions.

Highly Commended Andrew Hookway, East Villavin Farm

The evident hard work & forward thinking of Andrew and his team, and attention to detail & monitoring was notable. Andrew also places great importance on taking action – being involved with the wider farming and countryside community.

Sponsored by: Advanced Ruminant Nutrition

Winner Leanne Bertram, Ruby White, Graham’s The Family Dairy

This outstanding dairy farm is recognised for its exceptional performance in robotic milking. In response to the growing demand for Jersey milk, the team transitioned their herd to a state-of-the-art robotic milking shed in March 2023, with a clear goal: to optimise efficiency across every aspect of the business. Over the past two years the team have increased production by a remarkable 43%.

Sponsored by: National Farmers Union

Winner Moo Moo Organic Dairy Farm Ltd

There were some very strong candidates for the dairy team award, but Moo Moo organic stood out, demonstrating a strong ethos of collaboration and teamwork. Prioritising not only the highest standards on farm but the importance of the team’s wellbeing and socialising together outside of the farm gate. A real testament to what can be achieved when a team works together with purpose, care and mutual respect towards a shared goal.

Sponsored by: Virbac

Winner Laura Roberts, LLM Farm Vets

Laura is a highly motivated young veterinarian, dedicated to enhancing productivity and farming efficiency at LL&M farms. She consistently seeks innovative, data-driven approaches. Beyond her commitment to finding ways to improve farming efficiency through trial work, she also proactively secures funding for these vital studies. She also ensures her colleagues are continuously updated on all legislative changes, a testament to h

Sponsored by: Virbac

Winner Brian Mundell, Capontree Vets

Brian adeptly utilizes available data to tighten calving patterns and boost the profitability of Capontree’s farms, comment judges. Brian has also developed sophisticated synchronisation programs for his clients and demonstrates a genuine commitment to sharing this knowledge, solidifying his reputation as a highly dedicated farm vet.

Sponsored by: Virbac

Winner Synergy Farm Health

The practice winner is committed to staff development, nurturing veterinarians to become champions and specialists in their chosen fields. This investment has led to the formation of multiple specialist groups, from dairy experts to housing design teams, empowering every team member to excel. This forward-thinking approach keeps Synergy at the forefront of veterinary care, benefiting both their clients and the wider farming industry.

A very worthy winner said judges.

Sponsored by: British Dairying

Winner Pulse Oxidation Dairy – Oxi-Tech Solutions

Oxi-Tech’s unique technology energises cold water using low voltage electricity to create a clean but powerful disinfectant designed to replace chemicals to clean milking equipment whilst reducing costs, improving unit efficiency and sustainability.

Winner Oxbury Bank

Oxbury is the first bank of its kind to be set up in the past two centuries. It was founded by bankers, farmers, agricultural businesses and technologists to become the UK’s only bank 100% dedicated to serving the rural economy, specifically farming and food production.

Winner Cow Recovery System, James Yeatman & Synergy Farm Health

The system enables safe, efficient transfer of a recumbent cow into a deep-bedded recovery pen. It uses a hand-operated reeling mechanism — designed to eliminate the uncontrolled force often associated with hydraulics — allowing a single stockperson to gradually load the cow in a controlled, stress-free way.

Commended

Milkivit ONE /LactoFat Pro – Trouw Nutrition

Lely Vector MFR Next – Lely Atlantic

FerAppease – Vetsonic

Agristride – Wolfenden Concrete

Digital Assistant – smaXtec

Herdi – Herdwatch

CowFIT – Viking Genetics

The Award for Innovation entries are profiled in the September edition of British Dairying.

THANK YOU TO THIS YEARS’ SPONSORS

JUDGES

David Cotton, Dairy farmer & Chairman of Judges.

David farms with his family at Bridge Farm in Somerset with a 300-cow Autumn block calving herd and 300 youngstock. He is a Trustee of the Royal Bath and West Society and Chairman of the Dairy Show at Shepton Mallet.

Sarah Banks, Proposition Manager, Lely Atlantic.

Sarah oversees the business performance of Robotic Milking and digital systems across UK & Ireland, supporting their vision of sustainable, profitable, and enjoyable farming in the future, through innovative and valued solutions.

Mike King, RABDF Council Member,  M&S Dairy Farms Board.

Along with his brother Chris, Mike runs the Kingspool Holsteins herd at Two Pools Farm in Gloucestershire. With the herd established almost 100 years ago, and now numbering 800 year-round calving cows.

Sarah Tomlinson, Lead Veterinary Science Expert at AHDB.

Sarah is the Lead Veterinary Science Expert at AHDB and is also the Technical Director of the TB Advisory Service (TBAS). More recently she has developed a keen interest in social science especially around human behaviour and achieving positive change on farm. Sarah is a member of the Government stakeholder group the bTB Partnership and the Welsh Government TB Technical Advisory Group, she is also a British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA) director, an RABDF Trustee and a board member of the NBA.

Séan Rickard, Economist and advisor.

Former NFU Chief Economist, Director of Cranfield MBA programme and government advisor. Sean now provides independent economic analysis primarily relating to the food industry. He is also Chair of First Milk’s Members Committee.

Robert Craig, RABDF Chairman and Dairy Farmer.

Robert oversees the management of three pasture based dairy units in the north of England covering over 2000ac milking around 1500 cows. Robert stepped off the First Milk board in October 2023 having served the maximum term for a non exec director. Awarded a Nuffield Scholarship in 2012, Robert maintains a keen interest in sustainable agriculture, in particular working with the Sustainabile Food Trust, based in Bristol.